Egmont Palace, Diplomatic palace in Sablon, Belgium.
Egmont Palace is a neoclassical building in the Sablon district featuring grand marble staircases, ornate galleries, and ceremonial rooms throughout its stone structure. The architecture displays refined details characteristic of the style with carefully proportioned spaces designed for formal gatherings.
Countess Françoise of Luxembourg acquired the land in 1532 and built a Flemish Gothic mansion between 1548 and 1560; her son Lamoral of Egmont added a Renaissance residence around 1560 before his execution in 1568. The Arenbergs united the properties in the 18th century and commissioned Giovanni Niccolò Servandoni. After the 1892 fire destroyed the oldest wing, Octave Flanneau rebuilt only the right wing between 1906 and 1910, matching Tilman-François Suys's left wing.
The palace serves as the seat of Belgium's Foreign Ministry and hosts international diplomatic gatherings and state receptions. Visitors can observe from outside how this building anchors the nation's political and diplomatic life.
The interior is not open to the public, but visitors can explore the surrounding gardens and admire the exterior from Place du Petit Sablon. Late afternoon light works best for photographs as it highlights the stone details of the facade.
The 1920 Summer Olympics fencing events took place in the palace garden, not inside the building. The palace passed to the Belgian state in 1964 and was restored under Ambassador Luc Smolderen before hosting diplomatic meetings.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,455 contributors worldwide.
